In a dramatic turn of events during the World Cup downhill race held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, American skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin suffered a frightening crash, resulting in a possible left leg injury. Shiffrin, known for her record-breaking 95 World Cup wins, crashed into the safety nets after losing control while landing a jump on the course designated for the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Immediately after the crash, Shiffrin was assisted off the course, her left boot raised off the snow. She was then taken by ambulance to a clinic in Cortina, where she is currently being evaluated for the extent of her left leg injury. Initial reports from Shiffrin's team indicate that her ACL and PCL appear intact, but further details are expected to be released soon.

Shiffrin herself expressed gratitude for the support she received, posting on social media, "Thank you all for your support." A helicopter was seen going up the mountain following the accident, although it remains uncertain whether Shiffrin was airlifted away from the site.

Eyewitnesses described the moment of the crash, noting how Shiffrin's arms flailed as she landed in a patch of soft snow on the Olympia delle Tofane course. She then collided with the safety net at high speed before rebounding onto the snow. Medics swiftly attended to her, and she eventually managed to get up and limp away for further medical attention.

Federica Brignone, a former overall champion, also crashed shortly after the race resumed following the delay caused by Shiffrin's fall. Brignone, however, was able to ski down after getting back on her feet, citing minor bruises from the incident. Brignone reflected on the challenging nature of the course, emphasizing its added terrain and rolls, and suggesting that the regular race schedule may be overwhelming for athletes.

Brignone's fall was swiftly followed by another accident involving Olympic champion Corinne Suter, who abruptly pulled up midway through her run due to an apparent injury. Suter was seen clutching her left knee in distress. Additionally, Michelle Gisin, a two-time Olympic champion, also suffered a crash but fortunately escaped serious injury.

Out of the 52 starters in the race, a total of 12 did not manage to finish, highlighting the difficulty of the Tofane course. The course itself is set to host the women's skiing competitions during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Notably, Shiffrin had previously secured four medals in four different events at the 2021 world championships in Cortina.

The recent crashes of Shiffrin and Brignone mark the fourth and fifth instances of former overall World Cup champions encountering accidents in the past two weeks, following season-ending injuries to Alexis Pinturault, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, and Petra Vlhova.

Prior to this race, Shiffrin had not participated in a speed event since the super-G in Val d'Isere, France, over a month ago. Her absence from the speed circuit was evident during the only training session held earlier in the week, with Shiffrin expressing concern on Instagram about some "scary moments on the course." Strong winds led to the cancellation of a second training session scheduled for Thursday.

Despite her own injuries, Shiffrin took a moment to encourage her U.S. teammates who were yet to race, assuring them that the surface conditions were favorable. The relief among spectators was palpable when Shiffrin managed to get up after the crash, as an audible collective sigh of relief filled the packed finish area.

The event rightly emphasized the challenging nature of the course and the skill required to navigate it. Skiers like Marta Bassino, who finished 11th, praised the quality of the snow and the fantastic design of the course, which presented multiple sections demanding precise execution.

As Mikaela Shiffrin undergoes evaluation for her left leg injury, the skiing community anxiously awaits further updates on her condition, with hopes for a speedy recovery and eventual return to the slopes.